Review: Local author’s ‘We Lovers’ play a magical celebration of storytelling

by Pam Kragen

Last year, prolific San Diego playwright Christian St. Croix gave local theatergoers a taste of his play “We Lovers,” when a 40-minute version debuted at the San Diego International Fringe Festival. Now it’s back in a full-length version that Loud Fridge Theatre Group premiered Saturday at the Light Box Theatre at Arts District Liberty Station.

For those not familiar with St. Croix, he’s a much-in-demand Black queer playwright who tells poetry-sprinkled stories inspired by his own childhood and the people in his life. Like many of St. Croix’s other plays, “We Lovers — now 90 minutes in length — is sprinkled with ghosts, monsters and the supernatural.

“We Lovers” is the story of a group of neighborhood friends in their 20s who regularly meet up at a campsite to share spooky stories. Their personal lives are filled with personal, mental health and family challenges, so these lantern-lit story sessions offer them a much-needed escape, companionship and healing experience. At their meet-ups, the lamp-lit ceremonies begin with a toast of grape juice, an affirmation of their love for one another and the tales begin.

They each take turns telling fanciful stories inspired by their lives including a love affair with the fallen angel Jeremiah, sacrificing oneself to a lakeside slasher and a playful dance with a ghost cowboy. The stories, featuring interwoven poetry, are mesmerizing. Director Kate Rose Reynolds has magically infused the play with elements of dance, rhythmic drumming, highly creative use of props and movement designed by Taylor Jo Oxley.

Robinson, who plays the theater teacher Little Bit, is a cast standout with his lyrical and physical storytelling style and a sense of joy. Little Bit has invited his new crush, Mama’s Boy, to the campsite for the first time. Mama’s Boy is played by Lester Isariuz, who has a boyish sweetness and enthusiasm, but he’s also a wounded soul who arrives with a black eye administered by his father.

Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child. And Kailey Agpaoa is goofy and funny as Doctor Sister, a self-sacrificing but fierce young woman who has given up her dreams to care of her aging parents while her older sister has a husband and medical career.

The show’s physical production is impressive, with an expansive campsite scenic design by Heather Larsen filled with dozens of quirky “treasures” brought as gifts by past storytellers, creatures of the night sound design by Estefania Ricalde, lighting by Mashun Tucker, music by Marc Akiyama and costumes by Heather K. Nunn.

“We Lovers” ends with an unusual post-bows epilogue, which informs the audience a bit about the past, present and future of this sacred ground, where friends can escape their troubles for a few hours of safety and love.